Board game for stimulating infants

ABSTRACT

A board game for stimulating infants and for use by two or more players or teams for use with an infant as an active part of the board game. The game board sized to allow an infant to be placed thereon, having score/progress/position indicia thereon and two or more score markers for placement at or on the indicia to indicate the position/progress/score of each player/team. In one form, the game also includes a ball-like element to be placed upon the infant so that when the players/teams vie for the attention of the infant and get the infant to turn in their direction, the ball-like element rolls or slides off the infant toward the player(s) to earn a point or advancement. Preferably, the game board is covered in a soft fabric, similar to a baby blanket, and is sized similarly to a baby blanket or larger. In another preferred form the ball-like element is replaced with a die-like element to be placed upon the infant so that when the players/teams vie for the attention of the infant and get the infant to turn in their direction, the die-like element rolls or slides off the infant toward the player(s) to earn a point or advancement. The die has six sides, with indicia on the sides of the die matching up with positions on the game board. In one form, the indicia are letters and the positions on the game board have matching letters so that when the infant “rolls” the die, the die indicates indicia representing a position on the game board and the player can advance to that position.

Cross-Reference to Related Application

This application claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/292,082, filed Jan. 4, 2010, which is herebyincorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to the field of games and infantstimulation, and more particularly to a board game for stimulatinginfants.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a preferred form the present invention comprises a board game forstimulating infants and for use by two or more players or teams. Theboard game is for use with an infant as an active part of the boardgame. The board game comprises a game board sized to allow an infant tobe placed thereon, the game board having score-indicator/progressindicia thereon and two or more score markers for placement at or on thescore-indicator indicia to indicate the progress/score of eachplayer/team. The game also includes a ball-like element to be placedupon the infant so that when the players/teams vie for the attention ofthe infant and get the infant to turn in their direction, the ball-likeelement rolls or slides off the infant toward the player(s) to earn apoint or advancement.

Preferably, the game board is covered in a soft fabric, similar to ababy blanket, and is sized similarly to a baby blanket or larger.Optionally, the game board is foldable into a compact configuration.

In another preferred form the present invention comprises a board gamefor stimulating infants and for use by two or more players or teams. Theboard game is for use with an infant as an active part of the boardgame. The board game comprises a game board sized to allow an infant tobe placed thereon, the game board having score-indicator/progressindicia thereon and two or more score markers for placement at or on thescore-indicator indicia to indicate the progress/score of eachplayer/team. The game also includes a die-like element to be placed uponthe infant so that when the players/teams vie for the attention of theinfant and get the infant to turn in their direction, the die-likeelement rolls or slides off the infant toward the player(s) to earn apoint or advancement. The die has six sides, with indicia on the sidesof the die matching up with positions on the game board.

In one form, the indicia are letters and the positions on the game boardhave matching letters so that when the infant “rolls” the die, the dieincludes indicia representing a position on the game board and theplayer can advance to that position.

Advantageously, the board game promotes the interaction between ababy/infant and two or more players or teams. Typically, a suitable ageinfant is aged two months to twelve months or so. Typically, the game isplayed by two players or two teams of players. The game is ideal forencouraging older siblings to be involved with the baby in a fun,wholesome way. The game is also an effective way to monitor a baby'sdevelopment.

These and other aspects, features and advantages of the invention willbe understood with reference to the drawing figures and detaileddescription herein, and will be realized by means of the variouselements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appendedclaims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing generaldescription and the following brief description of the drawings anddetailed description of the invention are exemplary and explanatory ofpreferred embodiments of the invention, and are not restrictive of theinvention, as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view according to an example embodiment of thepresent invention and showing a game board, an infant thereon, and twoplayers.

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of the gameboard of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3A is a schematic, perspective view of the game board of FIG. 1,depicting fold lines formed therein for folding up the game board.

FIG. 3B is a schematic, elevation view of the game board of FIG. 3A,showing the game board in a compact, folded configuration.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a portion of a game board according to anotherform of the invention.

FIGS. 5A, 5B are schematic, perspective views of a die for the gameboard of FIG. 4, showing the die having various indicia matching up tothe indicated spaces on the game board of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As shown in FIG. 1, the present invention comprises a board game 10 andincludes a game board GB for use by two or more players P1 and P2 (orteams). The game board is adapted for use with an infant I as anintegral part of the game. The game also includes a ball-like element B,here depicted as a soft ball, like a tennis ball. Other balls can beemployed, as desired.

Score markers T are utilized in conjunction with indicia presented onthe game board GB to indicate progress or scores as the game is played.As shown, the players may stand, or optionally may sit while playing(sitting is preferred). Also, while six scoring/progress locations areshown, fewer or greater number can be employed as desired. In apreferred form, there are five scoring locations indicating five pointsor advancements to win the game. So as depicted, a player starts off atwith his marker T a beginning location and advances five locations towin the game. Alternatively, the first location can be dispensed withand the player places his marker T on the first location after winning afirst point. While in a preferred form a winning score is five points,those skilled in the art will recognize that greater or fewer points canbe designated as a winning tally, as desired.

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of the gameboard of FIG. 1. As shown herein, the game board GB includes a rigid orsemi-rigid backing and a soft fabric covering. The backing can be arelatively soft foam with sufficient stiffness to merely hold the gameboard relatively flat. Alternatively, the backing could be firmer and acushioning layer could be interposed between the backing and the softfabric covering.

FIG. 3A is a schematic, perspective view of the game board of FIG. 1,depicting fold lines formed therein for folding up the game board. FIG.3B is a schematic, elevation view of the game board of FIG. 3A, showingthe game board in a compact, folded configuration.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a portion of a game board according to anotherform of the invention. As shown herein, the game board GB2 includes arigid or semi-rigid backing and a soft fabric covering. The backing canbe a relatively soft foam with sufficient stiffness to merely hold thegame board relatively flat. Alternatively, the backing could be firmerand a cushioning layer could be interposed between the backing and thesoft fabric covering. The game board GB2 includes a central region 20,flanked by player progress zones 21, 22. In the central region 20 isprinted the name of the game (here, for example “LOROJO”). In each ofthe player progress regions 21, 22 a series of player progress positionindicia 31-36, 41-46 are provided. In this example embodiment, theplayer progress position indicia spell out the name of the game“L-O-R-O-J-O”. The players start at “L” and the first to reach the final“0” is the winner. While the game board is shown with optional “StartHere” indicia, such can be omitted as desired. The game board can be afoldable mat with a smooth upper surface, to make the game board easilywiped clean.

FIGS. 5A, 5B are schematic, perspective views of a die 50 for the gameboard of FIG. 4, showing the die 50 having various indicia matching upto the indicated spaces on the game board of FIG. 4. As shown the die 50has indicia 51-56 matching the player progress position indicia 31-36,41-46. Thus, the die 50 has indicia of “L-0-R-0-J-0” formed on its sixfaces.

The game board optionally has a semi-firm backing to prevent the blanketfrom folding/wrinkling during the game. Optionally, the backing candetachable so that the blanket can be used as the baby's “blankie” ashe/she gets older.

Preferably, the board is of a flat design. An optional area along thelong axis of the board in its center designates the location to placethe baby.

In one preferred form, five circles, numbered 1 thru 5 (or A-E orsimilar progressive location indicators), are present along the longaxis of the blanket between the space designated for the baby and theedge of the blanket. A scoring disc is placed on each successive circle,1 thru 5, with each scored “point.” Alternatively, instead of a scoringdisc other types of game pieces can be used, such as figurines,miniatures, chips, etc.

Preferably, a baby-safe ball-like element is used. Most preferably, theball-like element is a soft ball, approximately the size of a tennisball. In the case of using a die-like element, the die preferably islarge enough to avoid choking should the infant try to put the die inits mouth.

Preferably, players' (or teams') progress is indicated using twobaby-safe soft discs to be placed on the board. Optionally, the diameterof the disc is approximately that of a tennis ball, although thoseskilled in the art will recognize that various shapes and sizes ofprogress indicators can be used. In one optional form, the height of thedisc is approximately ½ inch.

The goal of the game is to get the ball to roll to a player's side bygetting the baby's attention, which typically will cause the baby toturn slightly toward the player and resulting in the ball or die rollingoff the baby and toward the player, earning a point (or move) for theplayer. Thus, a point is scored each time the ball rolls toward arespective player's side. The winning player is the first to get fivepoints (although the game can be designed with a greater or lesserwinning total). Alternatively, the game can be played requiring movementto specific locations on the board in order and limiting the movement ofthe player to those locations until the die rolls the specific location.

To play, the baby/infant is placed on the board on the designated site(in the center with the body parallel to the long axis of theblanket/board) with the baby facing up (supine position). Each player ispositioned on one side of the long axis of the blanket such that the“scoring circles” or spaces are between the baby and the player. Theplayers can be seated or standing (as depicted in the drawing). The ball(or die) is placed on the baby's chest. The baby may or may not graspthe ball depending on its age. Many babies start grasping at 3 months ofage. Once the ball is upon the baby's chest, both players trysimultaneously to attract the baby's attention by speaking, singing, ormaking funny noises. Optionally, any loud/abrupt noise that causes thebaby to cry automatically loses the game for the offending player.Optionally, any loud/abrupt noise that causes the baby to cry causes theoffending player to lose two places causes the opposing player toadvance two places. Other variations on penalties for causing the babyto cry can be devised.

When the baby's attention is “caught,” he/she typically will turnhis/her head toward the respective side depending on its age. Manybabies will turn their head toward sound beginning at 4 months of age.With development and continued encouragement, once the baby turns itshead toward a side, it typically will continue to roll toward that side.Most babies begin to purposefully roll over between the ages of 4 and 6months. When the baby does turn or roll toward a side, the ball willroll off of its chest (or from its hands if the ball was grasped) towarda player who thus scores a point. The player on that side advances hisor her scoring disc to the appropriate scoring circle (1 thru 5). Thefirst person to score 5 points wins the game (although different winningtotals can be employed). An important benefit to be derived from thegame is that it promotes the interaction between babies and oldersiblings (the players). It also helps a parent in guiding a child in theways to interact with a new sibling infant. This can help assimilate anewborn into the family with a minimum of distress.

Alternatively, instead of accumulating points, the players can berequired to progress through specific spaces upon rolling the equivalentindicia on the die, with the winner being the first to reach a finaldestination space.

While the invention has been described with reference to preferred andexample embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the artthat a variety of modifications, additions and deletions are within thescope of the invention, as defined by the following claims.

1. A board game for stimulating infants and for use by two or moreplayers and for use with an infant as an active part of the board game,the board game comprising: a game board sized to allow an infant to beplaced thereon, the game board having score-indicator/progress indiciathereon; two or more score markers for placement at or on thescore-indicator indicia to indicate the progress/score of each player;and a ball-like element to be placed upon the infant so that when theplayers vie for the attention of the infant and get the infant to turnin their direction, the ball-like element rolls or slides off the infanttoward the player(s) to earn a point or advancement.
 2. The board gameas claimed in claim 1 wherein the game board is covered in a softfabric, similar to a baby blanket.
 3. The board game as claimed in claim1 wherein the game board is covered with a baby blanket-like material.4. The board game as claimed in claim 1 wherein the game board is sizedsimilar to a baby blanket or larger.
 5. The board game as claimed inclaim 1 wherein the game board is foldable into a compact configuration.6. A board game for stimulating infants and for use by two or moreplayers and for use with an infant as an active part of the board game,the board game comprising: a game board sized to allow an infant to beplaced thereon, the game board having score/progress/position indiciathereon; two or more score markers for placement at or on thescore/progress/position indicia to indicate the progress/score/positionof each player; and a die-like element to be placed upon the infant sothat when the players vie for the attention of the infant and get theinfant to turn in their direction, the die-like element rolls or slidesoff the infant toward the player(s) to earn apoint/advancement/position.
 7. The board game as claimed in claim 6wherein the die-like element has indicia matching theprogress/score/position indicia on the game board.
 8. The board game asclaimed in claim 6 wherein the game board is covered in a soft fabric,similar to a baby blanket.
 9. The board game as claimed in claim 6wherein the game board is covered with a baby blanket-like material. 10.The board game as claimed in claim 6 wherein the game board is sizedsimilar to a baby blanket or larger.
 11. The board game as claimed inclaim 6 wherein the game board is foldable into a compact configuration.